He Will Be Called

Before heading to the village of Kar to visit my S@mogho friends, I was reading about the pr0phesy of J.s.s birth. Father's spokesman Is@iah declared G0d's promise to send a child--His Child to us. He said ,"He will be called: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty G0d, Everlasting Father, Prince of Pe@ce." I began thinking about those names and pondering the purpose for which Father caused my sp1r1t to be drawn to those names this Christmas. I sensed Him inviting me to share this part of the Christm@s story with J@k. It is amazing to me that hundreds of years before J.s.s birth, Father told us to expect it. Then it happened just as Father had said and we know J.s.s today as Wonderful, Counselor, Mighy G0d, Everlasting Father, Prince of Pe@ce.
As we sat with J@k and shared this part of J.s.s' story with him, it was a part he had never heard before. He didn't know that hundreds of years before that Father told us he would send HIS Son to us. He didn't know these names of G0d's Son.
Join J@k, L0ri P, and I as we w0rship the child that was given to us! Stop to consider and pr@ise the One who is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty G0d, Everlasting Father, Prince of Pe@ce! How has he been these things in your life? Give thanks to Him this season!

Unexpected tour of West Africa

My trip to M@li took several unexpected turns as I made my way from H0uston to B@m@ko. All was great from H0uston to D@k@r. Then while we were standing in the line to check in with our next flight, the airline manager announced that the stopover in B@m@ko was canceled due to no fuel to refuel the plane in B@m@ko. They had taken off 20 passengers and their luggage and decided to do something different with us--although they didnt have a plan. First, word came that we would stay in D@k@r for 3 days because there were no flights out until then. This was not acceptable to many because they needed to be in M@li before Monday. The negotiating continued with the possibilities of hiring a bus to drive us all night--not a good option as far as safety. We gave thanks to Father for not allowing this to happen. It was finally decided that we would fly to Burkin@ F@so and take an EARLY morning flight out from there to B@m@ko. So that is what we did. The airline got us to BF then with a little begging took us to a hotel where we could rest. Most of us had been up and traveling for 36 hours or more by this time. After a short nap, we were taken back to the airport at 1:30am and boarded a plane at 4:00am. While we were waiting for the plane, the M@li soccer team showed up with a huge trophy in hand to fly with us back to M@li. What fun to meet the team and have such a great time getting to know and celebrate with them....who knew I would become personal friends with the national soccer team of M@li. It sure made the unexpected tour of West Africa a lot more fun!!

From a Heart of Gratitude

As I drove home to surprise my parents for thanksgiving--one last time to demostrate in person my love for them before I leave for M@li--I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the trees! They were dressed in the most beautiful colors. I found myself saying over and over..."Oh that's my favorite! Oh I love that one the best! Oh Father, You did great on with that one! WOW! Did you see that one? That tree shines...even in the dark, I can see it's beauty!" The conversation went on and on with Father about the beauty of His trees this year! I couldn't really see anything else but the incredible trees with their brilliant colors. (I was glad Father had control of the car! I was a bit distracted!) After the big surprise and about causing my parents to have a heart attack, I came home with them to enjoy some time with them and prepare for our family thanksgiving. Mom and I were decorating the table and we decided to put some of the beautiful leaves on the table. I went out to gather some from the gorgeous Japanese Maple tree. I found myself examining those beautiful leaves. You know what I found...each leaf bore marks of imperfection, places where the color was not so brilliant, and areas where life was being drained out of it. It made me stop to think. For hours on my drive from Texas to SC...literally days, I marveled at the beauty and the glory of G0d displayed in the trees I encountered. All I could see was the perfection of the Creator and a canvas of incredible artwork. After closer inspection of the leaves, I marvel even more. You see, even though each leaf is imperfect and bears the marks of life's struggles, it still displays the splendor and glory of its Creator! It made me think of our lives--the lives of those who know, love, and obey the One who gives us life. Each of our lives are imperfect, sinful, and bear the marks of life's struggles. But because of J3sus and His obedience to lay down His life for our imperfections, our sins, our selfish ways, our lives display the glory of our G0d. J3sus makes it possible for our lives to shine with brilliance the Presence and Reality of our G0d. Because of J3sus our lives can cause others, and even ourselves, to marvel at an amazing G0d who lives in us!

For me...this thanksgiving finds my heart filled with gratitude to my G0d for His pursuit of us--sinful, selfish, undeserving people! He came to us and gave His life so we might live and shine the light of His gl0ry for all the world to see!

Thank you for being a leaf on the tree of life with me! Because of His Presence in you, in me, in us, we cause the world to stop and marvel at the incredible beauty and glory of our G0d!
Happy Thanksgiving!

A Night of Worshipping

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)” Over a year ago this is the scripture Father gave to me, preparing me for what He had planned for my future. Little did I know that it would mean living in M@li. Father told me not to try to “logically” understand where He was taking me, but to trust in Him and my paths will be straight. Now, over a year later, my Father is taking me to a remote village in a foreign land to declare His name and to live among His people. Last Sunday, Keylife Fellowship Church held a commissioning service for me as I plan to leave in January. This was not night to “send me off” as I am leaving for M@li, but a night to worship our Father and to rejoice in what He is doing right now.  This was a night in which we sang praises to Him, talked with Him in pr@yer and rejoiced in everything that He is doing! How awesome it was to be a part of a night worshipping our Father in all the amazing things He has done! The commissioning service was an amazing time being with friends. Thank you for all your prayers during this time! Thank you all for supporting me as I continue my journey with our Father!

Catherine

Three Legged Stool

During my summer trip to M@li I experienced many new life skills…for example eating out of one bowl with many people, cutting onions for many hours and speaking 3 languages. But the one thing that I distinctly remember is attempting to seat on a tiny, little three-legged stool. This memory came vividly to mind while I was attending my H&H class learning how to teach the P@na people what our bodies need physically to grow strong. For the three-legged stool in the village to be functional, there needed to be three legs. If the stool only had two legs or one leg then it would fall down and not be strong anymore. Like the three-legged our bodies need three major sources of nutrients. Protein helps our bodies grow, carbohydrates provides us with energy and vitamins/minerals protect our bodies from sickness. But, beyond our physical needs our growth in our Father is dependent on three major things….His Word for us to grow strong, pr@yer for protection and the Spirit to be our energy. Like the three-legged stool if there is one or two legs missing than we are not strong anymore spiritually or physically. If we only eat energy providing foods then our physical bodies cannot grow strong and if we only pr@y to our Father then our faith does not grow strong. As I sat, learning how to teach this lesson, it reminded me of how important it is for our faith in Father to be like a three-legged stool!

Catherine

Health and Hygiene

Hand washing and feces were the major topics when discussing health and hygiene last weekend as I attended a health and hygiene training (H&H) in Houston, Texas. The H&H training was a class to help me understand how to go into a village and teach the women small tasks to improve their hygiene and health. Germs and bacteria are everywhere and no matter how hard we try to have the best hygiene bacteria are still plentiful. I went into this class hoping to find ways to help the P@na people improve their hygiene behavior to have better health. But the P@na people who live with latrines as bathrooms; ground covered in dirt and unclean water sources, good hygiene is not the easiest task to accomplish in these living conditions.  I learned many techniques to wash our hands and the importance of hydration when we are sick. I learned how to teach them the importance of using a latrine and not the open fields. I pr@y to Father to show me now how to go into the village and be an example of these ways. I pray not only to go teach them better hygiene behavior, but help them, show them and only be an example. 

 Catherine

Celebrating

Beginning October 9th, we will join with serv@nts of our Father for a time of test1mony and celebration of the work Father is doing all over the w0rld. A group of f0ll0wers are hosting a special week to focus on how Father is using His people to make Himself known in places and to peoples who have never heard. It will be a great time to give pr@ise, thanks, and test1mony of Father's greatness! Please be pr@ying for us as we share and celebrate!

Traveling, Speaking, Training

Fall is coming our way! Are you beginning to enjoy the changes of the season! It always amazes me how the changing of seasons brings a newness, a freshness, an excitement, and a joy that only Father could have known would happen. I love to sit and just take in the cooler air, the beautiful colors, and the reality that our Father loves change. He loves for His children to be changed by His Presence, by the incredible, unfailing love that He possesses for us, and by the surrender of our hearts to Him. I pr@y that as the season of summer changes to the season of fall that you too will move from whatever season you are in to the season Father has awaiting you in your walk with Him.

HSI is continuing to make the changes necessary to follow Father into all that He has prepared for us. We are excited about what He has shown us and are now seeking His timing, provision, and plan for each and every one of them. I will be traveling again for the next few weeks. Please pr@y for this time of speaking with others about Father's work and the times of training I will have with one who is preparing to go overseas and serve. Thank you--each of you-- for your p@rtnership with us on your knees!! We cannot do this work without you! You are our strength and your pr@yers infuse us with courage and perseverance in the work Father has called us to do! I give thanks to Him for you!

believing Him for ALL that He has promised...

And When He Comes

"...And when He comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. the lame will leap like a deet, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!" Is.35:5-6

One of the greatest joys of visiting in the village S is the welcome and daily greeting from a woman who is deaf! She is always one of the first to come and welcome us! She cannot hear or speak, but there is never any doubt about what she is saying or trying to communicate. "Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!" Every morning she comes to greet and say "May G.d give you peace today!" During our time with the college team, my heart was tenderized toward her and Father began placing an urgency in my sp1r1t to find a way to tell her about J.s.s. Join me in praying for Father to unplug her ears and to open her mouth so she can sing for joy just as she spread joy each morning! 

Give thanks to Father for His continued work in the woman who once was p0ssessed by dem0ns, had excruciating headaches, and had lost her sight. She continues to believe, to f0ll0w, and to declare her love for J.s.s. She continues to live in freedom from the dem0ns. Her headaches have gone away. She says she is beginning to see a little light in her eyes. Please ask Father to bring complete healing to her body! He has already opened her sp1r1tual eyes, now ask Him to open her physical eyes. 

To Him be the gl0ry!

Free Time from the Fields

My heart jumped when I saw him. A large group of young f0ll0wers had gathered to w0rsh1p, give test1m0ny, and hear st0ries from Father's w0rd. There, leaning on a pole, was a young boy, M,  who always seems to be in the background. He seems to find a way to listen, to hear, to learn songs and st0ries about our Father.  The next day, as we sat in the shade during the heat of the day, M came to sit with us. The team began sharing a st0ry with him. At the end of the st0ry, he told us thank you and then said, I have to go back to the field. His parents had given him a break from planting in the field, and he came to be with those who could tell him more. This young boy is drawn to the st0ries from Father's word. He remembers them well and can always repeat them back to us, even months later. Please pr@y for M. Pr@y for Father to pave the way for him to find who he is seeking and for protection when he chooses to f0ll0w.

The Greatness of His Presence

"...and having chosen them them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory." Rom. 8:30

Have you ever just thought about the greatness of His Presence? The greatness of the gift of Himself our Father has given us? This weekend as I reflected on this quote a sense of awe came over me. As if it wasn't great enough to be chosen by our Father, He then called us by name to come to His side. As if it wasn't great enough to be chosen and called, He then gave us right standing with himself. As if it wasn't great enough to be chosen, called, and made right before our Father, HE GAVE US HIS GLORY, HIS PRESENCE, HIS VERY SELF!

As I prepared to speak to a group of f0ll0wers this weekend, I realized that our greatest pursuit is G.d's glory, His Presence. The crazy thing is that He gives it freely to us! He has chosen us, called us, made us right before Himself, so that we can have the greatest of His gifts...HIMSELF! I couldn't help but  be in awe by the ways He has allowed us to see His glory as we walk with Him and He accomplishes His plans and purposes through our lives.What a privilege to walk side by side with Him through the battles, the victories, the challenges, the joys, the sorrows, the everythings of this life! Take time to thank Him for His greatest gift!

The Joys and Challenges of the Journey

The journey to SC had great moments and not so great moments. The day before I left Texas I began running a fever. It was gone the next morning when I woke up and I felt normal. I proceeded with my plans to go to Louisiana. I had a great visit with the missions committee of Zoar Baptist Church. They have been supporters of HSI from the very beginning, and it was great to be able to meet with them to share how Father has been working. I enjoyed meeting each one and answering the questions they had about what Father is doing and the ways in which we work among the peoples of Mali. Please pray for them as they pray and seek to know if Father is calling them to send some teams to join us.
I continued my journey to SC the next day and my fever began to rise again. I found a good stopping place in Montgomery, AL and spent the afternoon and night resting in the hotel. I woke up with no fever and continued my journey onward. I made it to my parents lake house and decided to go on to the emergency room with a fair certainty that I had malaria. The test came back positive, so i have been taking the treatments and resting to regain my strength.Father has been so faithful to guide me and provide exactly the right people and places for me to be treated in the best possible way for malaria.
It has been a reminder that our journey with our Father is filled with joys and challenges. The best part is that He is with us in BOTH--the joys and the challenges!

Following Father...On the Road Again

Greetings friends and partners in the harvest!
There are still more details about our last trip, yet Father has not stopped working. That means the information to share with you continues to pile up all to the GLORY of our Father!! I need to let you know of these things, but more details from M@li will continue to be posted here.

Since our return from M@li, Father has continued to call out to us, "Follow Me!" He continues to move and lead us step by step into ALL that He has planned and promised! When I left M@li, I knew He had empowered me with faith and determination to believe Him for WHATEVER He says to do. He has been placing people, churches, and opportunities in my path that display His Oneness of heart and purpose among us. He is teaching me to use that Oneness of Heart and Purpose to guide my steps and to show me how to follow Him. I want to share with you some of the steps He has place before us and ask you to pr@y for each one.

Steps we are taking with Him:
Meeting with the HS1 Board Tuesday at 5:30pm (Texas time)
0akbrook C C plans and prepares to send a team in January 2010 to find their place in Father's plan 
Downsvi11e B C begins partnership with HS1 and is seeking to know which people group Father is preparing for them to serve among; praying about Father's timing to send first team
Visi0n of F@ith Church-- a current partnering church and also seeking to know how they can be involved in the completion of R@dio K@ntigiy@ and the specifics and development of the work Father is doing through HS1 in Mali
KeyL1fe Flwship embraces what Father is doing in M@li and partners with Him and HS1 in the development of His mission through HS1.
Z0ar B C--a current partnering ch.rch with HS1; meeting together with the missi0n committee to share what Father has been doing, future work and development of HS1 in M@li, and discussing the opportunities for their further involvement
H1ghP01nt Flwship--a current partnering church among the P@n@ people; meeting together to talk about the latest developments and what the future looks like in the work among the P@n@
F B C W@taug@--a current partnering ch.rch, making plans to meet together to share what Father has been doing and the future of His mission through HS1
C@ther1ne McGr@dy--planning, preparing/training, and raising funds to go and serve in Mali through HS1 to begin establishing an ongoing presence among the peoples Father is calling us to serve and to develop the mission of HS1 there
Establishing a mission base in Mali--preparing, planning and raising funds to purchase a vehicle and provide a house/mission base through which to fulfill Father's work
Continue developing the ministry of HS1 in the United States and establishing how that will be carried out both here and in M@li
Daily seeking and searching, watching and waiting for His revelation of Oneness of heart and purpose among those who cross our path

I will be on the road again for the next couple of weeks from Texas to SC and back.  I will be meeting with churches and individuals all along the way. C@ther1ne McGr@dy and I will also be meeting together to plan and prepare for her journey of service in M@li.

Please pr@y for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to follow!
Please pr@y for wisdom and discernment about the development of Father's work.
Please pr@y for Father's provision for ALL that He has planned--especially for the support needed for C@ther1ne McGr@dy and the set up of our work in M@li.
Please pr@y for the  HS1 Board as we seek to be obedient and faithful to ALL that Father is revealing, asking, and leading us to do.
Please p@y for those churches and individuals Father is calling to follow Him into the next steps of His work with us in M@li.
Please pray as Father leads you...we want what HE wants...even if we don't know about it yet!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your part in His plan!
His s@lty serv@nt...
l0ri

Doors Wide Open

Throughout our time in the village of S, we continually saw Father opening the doors for His work among the P@n@ people. He is calling out more and more to seek Him, follow in His ways, and begin their journey on the Highway of Holiness. He spoke clearly to several team members about His desire for them to join Him as servants among the P@n@. He revealed His thoughts and plans as we sought to prepare for the future of growing His followers. One way He revealed His plans came when the chief visited us one evening. He came to tell us he had talked with the elders of the village and they had agreed to give a piece of land to the ch.rch of S. He invited us to go out with him the next afternoon to look and agree on a piece of land. We went out and chose a safe and permanent place for followers to wOrsh1p, fellowship, share stories from Father's word, and meet the needs of the P@n@ people. That afternoon the temporary cornerstones for the property that will belong to the ch.rch of S were set by the two young men who boldly chose to be the first to follow the way of J.s.s. What a joy to pr@y together and sing songs of pr@ise to our Father for the work He is doing!! The doors are wide open for Father's work among the P@n@. The ch.rch is being developed and His Word is impacting the people. The best part is the Chief Cornerstone has already been set--J.s.s Chr1st!

Give me the News

"Give me the news" is one of the questions you frequently hear in Mali as you go to visit and greet people in the village. They want to know what you have come to give them or tell them. Many times you can just say "I've come to greet you" and they are satisfied. One afternoon,the new follower, old Jen, came to visit us. She sat with us and joked with us as she always does. She loves to laugh and play together. Then she said, "Give me the news." We joked some more, then again she said, "Give me the news." After doing this several times, Yaya said, I can tell her a story. So he began telling her the story of the Lost Son. Old Jen listened intently and became very involved in the story. She expressed her disbelief that the son asked his father for his inheritance before the father died. This is a terrible thing in her culture and should never be done. The story went on and she continued to understand the news. Normally we ask questions at the end of the story to make sure the listener understood the truths from the story. Well, Old Jen took over. She began asking each team member one by one, "Give me the news." One by one we each shared with her the things we liked and understood from the story. This not only pleased her, but allowed her to add her own thoughts about the story. Father used this time with Old Jen to grow her in f@ith and understanding as well as teach us new ways to give out HIS news to those we meet along the way.

Progress of Radio Kantigiya

God continues His Faithfulness toward the building of the radio station. Since our visit in March, construction has begun and the blocks now stand as a building. It is exciting to see the progress of this project with every visit. What a joy to spend time in each room pr@ying for the work Father will do through Radio Kantigiya. We look forward to the day when Father's Word will be broadcast throughout the region and those who have never heard will hear. "So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Chr1st." Romans 10:17

Highway of Holiness

"And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in G.d's ways, fools will never walk there. Lions will not lurk along its course, nor any other ferocious beasts. There will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will walk on it."      Isaiah 35:8-9

A great road now goes through the once deserted land of the P@n@. About 5 years ago, Father made known the name of a small people group way out in the bush of Mali. He called a small group of followers to begin pr@ying for someone to go and make J.s.s known among them. As a result of those pr@yers, a fellowship of followers began sending volunteers to walk, serve, and share G.d's story among them. The P@n@ are hearing about the road to the Father through J.s.s., and they are experiencing the Highway of Holiness as the Redeemed walk through their land. They are learning G.d's ways and recognizing the protection of the Father for those who walk on this great road. Several have chosen themselves to walk on it and others are seeking to understand.

When He Comes

In Isaiah 35, the words of Father's spokesman described what to expect when G.d comes to the wilderness, the desert, and the wasteland. He promises to open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. He says the lame will leap like a deer and those that cannot speak will sing for joy. As I read those promises, the faces of specific people who live in the village of S come to my mind. There is the old woman who struggled a few months ago with demon possession, terrible headaches, and blindness. After pr@yer and her demonstration of faith, she has been set free from the power of the demons and her headaches are no longer a part of her days. During this visit she talked about the great peace that surrounds her. She no longer experiences spiritual blindness...she believes in J.s.s and calls out to Him for help daily. We are still believing Father for the demonstration of His power to open her eyes physically...to completely heal her of all that ravaged her body when they asked us to pr@y. There are 2 deaf people--a young man and a delightful lady. The young man has expressed interest in being a follower, and the lady comes with joy to greet us daily when we are in the village. We are believing Father for each of these to truly understand His message--for their ears to be unplug and for their voices to sing for joy! Then there is the old man of the village... the gr@ndf@ther of one of the young followers. He is unable to get around and most often is found in his bed. He doesn't understand the faith of his gr@ndchild, but we are believing Father to demonstrate His power in this man's life and bring joy and peace and life when He comes! We are believing Father for all of this and more when He comes to dwell among the P@n@!

News that Strengthens, Encourages, and Saves

In verses 3-4 of Isaiah 35, Father's spokesman says, "With this news". With the news of the coming gladness, rejoicing, singing, joy, and life to the wilderness, desert, and wasteland, Father says to strengthen those with tired hands and encourage those with weak knees. He also says to  tell those with fearful hearts, "Be strong and do not fear for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you." This is exactly the work and the message Father sent us to do among the people who live in the wilderness, desert, and wasteland surrounding the P@n@. Our time together with the followers was a time to strengthen and encourage us all to continue the journey of following the ways of J.s.s. We encouraged and taught the old woman who confessed she was following J.s.s. We spent time sharing stories and singing with the old woman who was delivered from the demons several months ago. His message is being made clear to those who live in fear..."Be strong and do not fear for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you." Through this message a young woman chose to be strong and put aside her fears...she chose to receive the salvation that comes from our Father!

Promise of Life

In the first few verses of Isaiah 35, the writer speaks of the wilderness, the desert, and the wasteland. When traveling to the land where the P@n@ live, you will experience all of these--the wilderness, the desert, and what looks like a wasteland. As I read those first 2 verses, my heart rejoiced as I read the promises Father was giving through His spokesman Isaiah. He promised that in the wilderness, the desert, and the wasteland there would be gladness, rejoicing, singing, joy and LIFE. He promised that the splendor and glory of G.d would be displayed there!
As we were pr@yer walking through the fields and enjoying the late African afternoon, we walked through this area that perfectly fit the description of the wilderness, the desert, and the wasteland. While walking through it, I was reminded of Father's promises in Isaiah 35. I began pr@ying and asking Father to fulfill each of His promises for the P@n@. I got to the tree that was in the center of this circle of deadness. At first glance, it looked as dead as the others. As I looked up to examine the tree further, I saw these tiny green leaves shining on the branches and the tiniest little yellow flowers beginning to bud out. Just as Isaiah 35 had said-- the gladness, rejoicing, singing, and joy was described as green, blossoms, and flowers--LIFE! Life would be seen in the wilderness, the desert, the wasteland--all to display the splendor and glory of G.d!! LIFE was before me as I looked at this seemingly dead tree!

Promises from the Father

On the morning our team was to turn our focus toward the work Father wanted to do among the P@n@, my devotion was about Isaiah 35. As I read the whole chapter, Father's Spirit spoke to my heart. My ears were in tune with the promises Father was making in these verses... promises He was giving me for the work He was doing among the P@n@. My spirit was encouraged and my heart filled with hope! I could hardly wait to make the 2 day drive and begin to watch Father at work among the people He has given as my inheritance.

Connected as One through Our Father's Word

The last evening that the team spent in the village of S we all were gathered together under the shade relaxing during the heat of the day.  In small groups of two and three, we all began our own conversations of J.s.s. One group began talking about our favorite stories of our Father’s word; while others come together opening up our B.ble in their own language to share their favorite verses and stories. At some point we were all crowding around each other reading over each other’s shoulder, writing down everybody’s favorite verses and pointing out our favorite stories. For hours all we did was immerse ourselves in reading our Father’s word in different languages including Bambara, French and English. This time together showed us there is no language barrier with our Father’s Word. We all have our favorite verses and our favorite stories to share amongst our brothers and sisters of J.s.s. Our Father’s word is the same in every language. We can all be connected as one as we read from our Father’s word no matter what language we speak. Even though the evening was really hot, I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend our last evening in the village of S with our brothers and sisters of J.s.s!!!

Kadia

Praise in the Public Place

One of the desires of the young adults who had gathered for the storying conference was to sing and praise J.s.s in the public place so that the village of S might hear and see what it means to be a follower. Their desire to demonstrate their faith, their love, and the song of their hearts was bold and powerful! Many came to watch and listen, then were compelled to join in the celebration and praise! I was amazed as I watched them sing, dance, clap, and enjoy the proclamation of Father's greatness! I was exhileratingly exhausted as I joined in with them to sing and dance for over an hour!! Don't know when I have had so much fun!!! Don't know of a better way to demonstrate the joy of following J.s.s!

Confessions of the Mouth

"For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." Romans 10:10
One by one, young followers confessed with their mouths how they had come to know, believe, and follow the Way. During this time of testimony and confessing, one young woman confessed to the group, "I am not yet following." Testimonies continued and the power of Father was evident in each person's story. Later as we prepared to break for lunch, the words of Romans 10:10 were shared and the challenge proposed to the group--"If you have not yet confessed your belief, today is a great day to do that." The young woman spoke again saying, "I want to follow the Way of J.s.s." The group affirmed, encouraged, and supported her confession.
Just after that as we waited for lunch to be served, an older woman in the village who has been struggling with her decision to follow for a long time came and sat beside me. She also confessed with her mouth that she has made the decision to become a follower. We talked about that decision and the importance of her confession. We invited her to come back after lunch to hear the testimonies of the team and join in with the singing and praises as we concluded our conference. We confessed with our own mouths the greatness of our Father and the work He has been doing among the nations living in this region!!
Thank you for your pr@yers and your ongoing support of Father's work among the P@n@ and the peoples groups that surround them!!

Strength and Encouragement

Sensing Father's leadership to bring young followers together with the young adults on this team, we hosted a time of training and encouragement in the area where the P@n@ live. We didn't know at all what to expect, how many would come, or even how much time we would really have together. It is the busiest time of the year with field preparation and planting, so we knew that most would be expected to be in the fields working. We arrived on Saturday afternoon, unloaded, then sent the trucks back out to the villages to pick up the young followers to bring them to the village of S. When we returned, we had 2 trucks full of young people--22 in all. With our team and the nationals, we had 33 followers invade the village of S--all ready and excited about growing, learning, and praising our Father. We arrived back in the village and had a meal together--tigadigana-- before beginning our time of storying Father's Word. We were amazed at the number of young people who have chosen to follow the Way and amazed at the opportunity Father was giving us all to be strengthened, encouraged, and build relationships with each other.
During our time together, we shared our testimonies about how Father has changed our lives as well as stories from Father's Word. We sang praises, needs, and shared words of encouragement. We left our time together empowered, strengthened to continue the journey with Father, and encouraged to tell others about the difference J.s.s makes in our lives. We left connected as friends and family for eternity!!

Home Again--Resting and Reflecting

Greeting to you all from the good ole USA! Yesterday morning the team sent each other off with a special time of pr@yer for each team member. We began this in Mali as we began saying our "see you laters" and we completed it in the hotel in Paris before heading to the airport. It was a sweet time of closure as we all began the final journey homeward. Then we took a crazy subway ride to the airport that began from the first moments of stepping onto the train. The train was PACKED like a can of sardines, yet we had to get on it to make it in time to the airport. Half of the team was on and the other half struggling to squeeze into the can. We all made it even though those on the train wish we had waited...smile. It was a tough ride being squeezed so much...there were a few moments of relief at a couple of stops. When we got to the airport, we discovered that we were not all able to leave from the same terminal. This meant that we had to leave Yaya and Kadia way before we were ready. We hugged and said our "see you later" to them believing and trusting Father to see us all home. Abi, Sali, and I made our way to our terminal and found the check-in place for Abi, found our check-in place, then went back to say "see you later" to Abi. Again, believing Father to be her companion as she traveled the rest of the way alone. Sali and I got check-in after a long wait. Our flight was delayed a little, but we didn't have any problems. We got to London in time to go straight to boarding. Each of us arrived in the USA safely and found family and friends waiting to welcome us home! It was great to be off of the plane and connected again with those we love and long to share our experiences. Continue to pr@y for our adjustment to the new time zones, the different weather conditions, and the changes Father has made in our hearts and lives these last 30 days.

Airport bound

We are headed out for the airport and the journey homeward! Continue to support us as we fly and process all we have experienced! Thank you for being a part of our team!

Saying See You Later!!!

The see you laters are always hard to say but I know that I will see them again! We spent time in P@n@ and it was amazing!! God moved through each one of us and it was AWESOME!!! We met the followers and got to spend time with them and encourage them! It was wonderful to even be encouraged by them! The lasting connections that were made touched my heart in new ways! I will remember these people and love them for eternity! I'm excited to see what Father does through the seeds tht were planted and begin the harvest! Thank you for pr@yers and support during this amazing journey! I hate saying the see you laters but know it's a part of the mission life! Thank you all again!!

Dying to Self,
Sali